stars in Europe - Uche not angry at Nigeria World Cup snub

The Villarreal striker was not picked by Keshi, despite scoring 12 goals in the Spanish top flight this season. Uche has not played for his country since they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year. The 30-year-old insists, however, that he holds no grudges against Keshi. "Of course as a professional footballer you'd love to represent your country, but I have never had bad words towards the national coach," Uche is widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most reliable strikers at international level and is one of his nation's all-time top scorers, with 18 goals in 45 appearances, behind Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. 

10 May 2014
2014 World Cup - squad - Shola Ameobi in provisional Nigeria squad

Stoke striker Peter Odemwingie and Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi are in Nigeria's provisional 30-man World Cup squad for Brazil 2014.

7 May 2014
stars in Europe - Wilfried Bony - Ivory Coast striker happy at Swansea City

The Ivorian has scored 24 goals in all competitions since joining the Swans from Vitesse Arnhem for a club-record fee of £12m last summer. Bony, 25, has been the bright spot in a disappointing Premier League season. 

4 May 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - MOROCCO - COACH - former player Badou Zaki confirmed as new coach

Zaki takes charge of the Atlas Lions for the second time in his career.

3 May 2014
club - coaches - Youssef resigns as Al Ahly coach

Al Ahly has accepted the resignation of coach Mohamed Youssef on Thursday. Youssef had been in charge of Al Ahly since May last year following the resignation Hossam El Badry.

2 May 2014
African Champions League 2014 - DR Congo rivals drawn together

TP Mazemebe, runners-up in last year's Confederation Cup, and AS Vita Club are fierce rivals

30 Apr 2014
African Confederation Cup 2014: play offs - 2nd leg - fixtures & results

Fixtures and results for the 2014 Confed Cup.
2013 champions: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)

Winners advance to group stage

29 Apr 2014

2015 AFRICA CUP - MOVING 2015 EVENT 'ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE'

AFRICA CUP 2015 AFRICA CUP 2015 QUALIFIERS

It will be almost impossible to stage the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on time, says the man who organised the 2008 tournament in Ghana.

Morocco was due to stage the 2015 Cup but was removed as host after expressing fears over the Ebola virus.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) insists the tournament will go ahead on time, starting on 17 January.

But Dr Kofi Amoah told the BBC: "It could be a sham. I don't think there is enough time for anyone to do it."

CAF said earlier this week that several countries had applied to stage the relocated event, and that a decision would be made in a matter of days .


WHO WILL STEP IN AS HOST?

GABON
Gabon, who co-hosted in 2012 with Equatorial Guinea, has been mentioned, but they only have two stadiums available.

TUNISIA
Tunisia hosted in 2004 and has the venues, but recent political turmoil and violence at football matches might count them out.

ALGERIA
Algeria is one of seven nations who have said they want to host the 2017 tournament and are the only ones who might be in a position to host earlier.

NIGERIA
Nigeria hosted the Under-17 World Cup in 2009 and a new facility in Akwa-Ibom state. But presidential elections are set for a week after the tournament.

...

But Amoah believes that any country that steps in faces a "gargantuan" task to stage the tournament with just 65 days notice.

"It could become a disgrace to African football," Amoah told BBC World Service. "60 to 70 days will not be adequate for most countries.

"There is a lot of stuff to do.

Accreditation systems, security, which is very important.

Without that it'll be a mess."

Amoah says he supports Morocco's decision to ask for a postponement of the tournament.

"I don't think Morocco should be penalised. 

They've done this to protect the whole of Africa," he said.

"All the things that come into human necessity come into play and it would be best to postpone it."

UNDERSTANDING THE EBOLA VIRUS AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID IT 

How the Ebola outbreak has affected African football

 

14 Nov 2014
(BBC Sport UK and Nick Cavell, BBC Sport)

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